The eThekwini Municipality is moving to strengthen the economic performance of uShaka Marine World and the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC).
Both facilities are key contributors to tourism, investment and job creation in the City.
City Manager Musa Mbhele chaired a strategic meeting on Wednesday, 30 September 2026 which was attended by the executive leadership of the Durban Marine Theme Park (DMTP), which operates uShaka Marine World, and of the Durban ICC.
The meeting was convened to fast-track the resolution of outstanding operational matters and to align both municipal entities with the City’s economic development and inner-city regeneration priorities.
The uShaka Marine World and the Durban ICC are strategically located along Durban’s coastline, with direct links to the inner city.
uShaka Marine World is an anchor development within the Point Waterfront precinct. It attracts domestic and international visitors who support local hotels, restaurants and retail businesses.
The Durban ICC continues to position the City as a leading destination for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, which contributes significantly to visitor spending and the local economy.
A central item on the agenda was the proposed World Trade Centre Durban (WTCD). The initiative is intended to establish a dedicated office footprint to attract international trade, commerce and investment to the City.
The meeting considered the proposed acquisition of the Smart Xchange building to house the WTCD and the proposed closure of Walnut Road to create an integrated precinct. Both proposals remain subject to the applicable municipal approval and public participation processes.
The meeting also addressed:
- measures to improve operational efficiency
- the filling of director vacancies
- investment in infrastructure at both facilities
These interventions are aimed at safeguarding the City’s tourism assets and enabling both entities to fulfil their mandates effectively.
They form part of the municipality’s broader commitment to revitalising the inner city as a vibrant, competitive destination and to creating an environment that supports economic growth and employment opportunities for residents.
With Reference to Surf Riders Café